Now might be the time to “buy” if you want to back a Midwest team to win the World Series.
Sportsbooks are pretty skeptical about 2021 MLB futures for regional teams — other than the Chicago White Sox. The Southsiders have, by far, the strongest roster among teams in states that border Iowa.
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Hope still springs eternal for the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals. In addition to team futures, Iowa sports betting apps have some player-specific futures markets as well.
Sizing up the 2021 MLB futures for World Series odds
At popular Iowa sports betting apps such as BetMGM Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook, the Los Angeles Dodgers are a consensus betting favorite to win the World Series in 2021.
The next group of teams with the shortest odds isn’t such a strong consensus, however. Depending on which book you’re looking at, these teams fall in various orders:
- Atlanta Braves
- New York Yankees
- San Diego Padres
- New York Mets
When you’re shopping for futures odds, a unified voice among sportsbooks isn’t in your best interest. In fact, smart bettors take advantage of varying opinions if they like a wager. A comprehensive outlook for all regional team futures at Iowa sportsbooks, allowing you to shop for the best line, is right here.
| Sportsbook | World Series odds | League championship odds | Division championship odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | White Sox +1000 Twins +1600 Cardinals +2200 Brewers +3000 Cubs +3500 Royals +10000 | White Sox +400 Twins +700 Cardinals +1200 Brewers +1800 Cubs +1800 Royals +5000 | White Sox -110 Twins +140 Cardinals +155 Brewers +275 Cubs +350 Royals +4000 |
| BetRivers | White Sox +850 Twins +2000 Cardinals +2500 Cubs +4000 Brewers +4400 Royals +10000 | White Sox +380 Twins +750 Cardinals +1050 Cubs +2200 Brewers +2500 Royals +5000 | White Sox -143 Twins +175 Cardinals +100 Brewers +385 Cubs +400 Royals +4000 |
| DraftKings | White Sox +850 Twins +2000 Cardinals +2500 Cubs +4000 Brewers +4400 Royals +10000 | White Sox +380 Twins +750 Cardinals +1050 Cubs +2200 Brewers +2500 Royals +5000 | White Sox -143 Twins +175 Cardinals +100 Brewers +385 Cubs +400 Royals +4000 |
| FanDuel | White Sox +850 Twins +1800 Cardinals +2200 Cubs +3500 Brewers +4500 Royals +11000 | White Sox +370 Twins +750 Cardinals +1000 Cubs +2200 Brewers +2500 Royals +6000 | White Sox -125 Twins +135 Cardinals -105 Brewers +380 Cubs +500 Royals +4000 |
| PointsBet | White Sox +900 Twins +1800 Cardinals +2500 Cubs +4000 Brewers +5000 Royals +10000 | White Sox +375 Twins +700 Cardinals +1100 Cubs +2200 Brewers +2500 Royals +5500 | White Sox -135 Twins +160 Cardinals +105 Brewers +375 Cubs +425 Royals +4000 |
| William Hill | White Sox +1000 Twins +1600 Cardinals +2500 Cubs +4000 Brewers +6000 Royals +10000 | White Sox +400 Twins +700 Cardinals +1300 Cubs +2200 Brewers +3000 Royals +6000 | White Sox -135 Twins +170 Cardinals +130 Brewers +350 Cubs +375 Royals +4000 |
For example, if you do like St. Louis to win its division this year and want to get your wager down, BetMGM is your best bet right now. A few books also have team win total markets for the upcoming season. PointsBet has a line of 72.5 on the Kansas City Royals, for instance, with -110 odds on both sides of the market.
At several of the books, you can also make a playoff qualification prop bet for individual teams. BetRivers offers +145 on “Yes” and -182 on “No” for the Milwaukee Brewers. That market pays out the same regardless of whether the team wins its division or nabs a wild-card spot.
If individual athletes’ futures odds are more to your liking, there’s a strong volume of those markets at Iowa sportsbooks. Those wagers are a great example of the importance of timing in futures betting.
Whit’s hits, Hader’s savers and more athlete futures
Athletes who play for teams in states bordering Iowa are also on Iowa sportsbooks’ shortlists to lead MLB in statistical categories along with taking home awards as well. For example, William Hill has the Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield +1500 to lead all of baseball in hits.
Books also have markets for home runs, runs batted in, stolen bases and strikeouts (pitchers, not hitters). Saves might be a category of interest for Iowa baseball bettors, as both the Brewers’ Josh Hader and the White Sox’s new closer, Liam Hendricks, are among the favorites there.
Outside of Chicago’s Lucas Giolito, area players aren’t among the current favorites for Cy Young or MVP awards. That doesn’t mean the situation won’t change.
The odds in these markets can fluctuate wildly over time due to factors like:
- Consistent poor/strong performances
- Injuries, not just to the player you wagered upon but for other players in the market as well
- Public betting
- Scheduling considerations, such as late in the season when a team has been eliminated from playoff contention
So, when you put your bet down has a good deal of importance. If the odds on your wager increase before the market closes, the sportsbook isn’t going to give you the better odds should your bet prove a winner. You’ll get the payout quoted on your ticket.
This is where bettors are somewhat on equal footing with sportsbooks, as nobody can predict injuries and when players/teams will go into slumps. Just like with any other wagering, it’s pivotal to do your homework, bet within your limits and then hope for the best.
